“And I’m thinking I’m getting deeper and deeper, and I thought, you’re not going to get me.”

He aimed for the ‘gator’s eye socket. And after several hits, the beast released its prey.

Tony crawled out of the water to rescuers.

But that wasn’t the end of the drama.

The retired construction company owner Googled how many people have died in alligator attacks in Florida and learned that four of the 24 succumbed later to complications, mainly infection from a bite.

“That scares you a little bit.”

Fortunately, after a course of antibiotics, things are looking good.

“I’m doing good today. Better every day.

“...It put a few holes here and there and I’m still blue – or black – but I’m walking on it.”

Not quite so for the ‘gator.

The animal was dispatched by wildlife officers.

Tony says he had seen the alligator previously but, usually, the reptiles stay clear of humans. He says officials told him they believe someone had been feeding the animal.

The incident has become a tale told ‘round the world.

“This morning, I did an interview in Maine.

“Australia, New Zealand – my grandson emailed me and said I’m up to at least 200 different radio and TV stations across the world.

“When a dog bites, nobody talks about it. When it’s an alligator, the whole world wants to know about it!”

In fact, the story even made the Hindustan Times in New Delhi, India. There are no alligators native to India, according to the internet. But the country does have several species of crocodiles.

Tony plans to return Sunday to Magnolia in Fort Meyers, Fla. The golf course he usually plays, located over his back fence, is closed for renovations.

But along with trusty putter, Tony says he’s going to start taking a cart.

“And I won’t go as close to water, that’s for sure!”

* * *

Monday is Family Day.

And to note again in this corner – because it is worth noting! – a special gathering Monday in St. Thomas at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School, where friends and acquaintances and, even, strangers who never knew JOHNNY NOOREN, will come together.

It’s the information session for the three-day house build this spring in St. Thomas to raise money for Johnny’s own young family following the popular city man’s death last summer at age 43.

“He was so well known throughout the community, and so well-liked throughout the community,” says Doug Tarry Jr., who knew the building inspector professionally and who first broached a build where as much as possible -- land, materials, labour -- would be donated to maximize return.

“We definitely lost someone who was important to our community.”

Doug checked first with the trades, without whose backing, the project would be a no-go.

Their support was unanimous.

“I just didn’t get a no. Several of them knew Johnny and they said, ‘I’ll do whatever you want.’”

From there, the idea has blossomed.

“It’s a crazy idea – but everyone kind of likes the crazy idea.”

And Doug hopes the community may benefit almost as much from a pay-it-forward project as he hopes the Nooren family will.

“I was reminded of the Ontario Home Builders’ humanitarian build where we went to the Dominican Republic a few years ago, and we built six homes in 4-1/2 days.

“It was an incredible, life-changing experience. And I thought, ‘You know what? I think this would be something that would be good not just for the family but really awesome for the community.”

To inaugurate the new Tarry Homes neighbourhood near Elm St. and Centennial, the 72-hour build is such a crazy idea, bleachers are to be erected to allow the public to take in the spectacle.

After all, construction of the bungalow, to be built to Tarry Home’s exacting, energy-efficient Net Zero standard, normally would take some 3-1/2 months.

Such a crazy idea, even a documentary is in the works.

Tarry says colleagues in Barrie who have undertaken similar builds say that’s what they wished they had done.

The film will memorialize Johnny and the project. The camera will be there at Monday’s gathering and at yet-to-be announced events leading up to the build.

“We’re really thrilled to be making a memory, if you will.”

Monday’s information session is 1-4 p.m. with a presentation at 2.

A family gathering, you might say.

* * *

Family.

The memory of a St. Thomas man who died many years ago and many miles away from home, echoes through time.

It’s an email from David Allan, who is “chairman, dogsbody and editor” for a local history group in Eastham, Wirral, U.K., which is across the River Mersey and few miles distant from Liverpool.

And this is why he writes:

“Our village churchyard contains the remains of several overseas airmen who died (in the First World War) at the nearby Hooton Air Field, which became a training depot for the Royal Flying Corps, later the RAF. As this was in the early days of combat flying practice, there were many accidents and deaths. One of those brave men was CLAUDE ELSDEN ELLIOTT, of 98 Metcalfe St., St. Thomas.”

From the information they have been able to gather, David has written the story of 2nd Lieut. Elliott’s life for publication in the next edition of the group’s newsletter.

The churchyard where he lies is historic. The oldest headstone is 1632 and the oldest recorded burial, 1598. As pretty as every English village churchyard you can imagine, is.

And the history group, which has been photographing headstones to ensure their preservation, decided to write the stories of the 10-or-so soldiers who rest there.

“We didn’t want these men, boys, really, to be forgotten.

“They had sacrificed their lives to protect ours and the least that we could do was acknowledge this fact, and to commemorate them.”

Claude Elsden Elliott was son of Rev. George and Mary Elliott, and grew up in West Elgin, where his father was incumbent at St. Peter’s, Tyrconnell. The family later moved to St. Thomas. He was a post-grad Church of England theology student in Toronto when he enlisted in 1915 in the medical corps.

Later becoming a flight cadet, he was killed Sept. 5, 1918 in a training accident. It was just over two months before the end of the war. And he was just 24.

He is memorialized by a plaque at the church.

Claude Elsden Elliot left his mother, a brother and a sister, Miss Gladys Elliott, a St. Thomas historian and former women’s editor of the Times-Journal.

No close local family remains. But now known to the history group, which wrote to ask, there are two nieces born after their uncle’s death who survive along with their families. Ann Romeril lives in Toronto and Nancy Marshall, Peterborough.

Ironically, Nancy lived many years in England after marrying an Anglican cleric. Two of their three children still do.

And on the phone, she recalls discovering existance of her uncle’s grave, and visiting.

“That was quite amazing. I never knew my uncle.”

In his email in search of family, David Allen writes:

“The citizens of St. Thomas may like to know that his grave is cared for and that he is remembers with gratitude each Nov. 11 along with his fallen comrades and those of our village who died in the conflict.”

Ann and Nancy say on the phone they are appreciative their uncle is not forgotten.